St. Paschal Baylon (1540-1592)
May 17
In
Pascal’s lifetime the Spanish empire in the New World was at the height of its
power, though France and England were soon to reduce its influence. The 16th century has been called
the Golden Age of the Church in Spain, for it gave birth to Ignatius of Loyola,
Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Peter Alcantara (October
22), Francis Solano (July 14), and Salvator of Horta (March 18).
Paschal’s Spanish parents were poor
but pious. Between the ages of seven and 24, he worked as a shepherd and began
a life of mortification. He was able to pray on the job and was especially
attentive to the church bell which rang at the Elevation during Mass. Paschal
had a very honest streak in him. He once offered to pay owners of crops for any
damage his animals caused!
In 1564 Paschal joined the Friars
Minor and gave himself wholeheartedly to a life of penance. Though he was urged
to study for the priesthood, he choose to be a brother. At various times he
served as porter, cook, gardener, and official beggar.
Paschal was very careful to observe
the vow of poverty. He would never waste any food or anything given for the use
of the friars. When he was porter and took care of the poor coming to the door,
he developed a reputation for great generosity. The friars sometimes tried to
moderate his liberality!
Paschal spent his spare moments
praying before the Blessed Sacrament. In time many people sought his wise
counsel. Many people flocked to his tomb immediately after his burial; miracles
were reported promptly.
In 1690 Paschal was canonized, in
1897 named patron of Eucharistic congresses and societies.
QUOTE:
“Meditate well on this: Seek God above all things. It is right for you to seek
God before and above everything else, because the majesty of God wishes you to
receive what you ask for. This will also make you more ready to serve God and
will enable you to love God more perfectly.” (St. Paschal)
COMMENT:
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament occupied much of St. Francis’ energy. Most
of his letters were to promote devotion to the Eucharist. Paschal shared that
concern.
An hour in prayer before our Lord in the Eucharist could teach all of us a great deal. Some very holy and busy Catholics today are able to find that time, and their work is enriched by those minutes spent in prayer and meditation.
St. Felix of Cantalice (1515-1587)
May 18
Felix was
the first Capuchin ever canonized. In fact, when he was born, the Capuchins
didn’t yet exist as a distinct group within the Franciscans.
Born of humble but God-fearing
parents in the Rieti Valley, Felix worked as a farmhand and a shepherd until he
was 28. He developed the habit of praying while he worked. In 1543 he joined
the Capuchins. When the guardian explained the hardships of the way of life,
Felix answered: “Father, the austerity of your Order does not frighten me. I
hope, with God’s help, to overcome all the difficulties which will arise from
my own weakness.”
Three years later Felix was assigned
to the friary in Rome as its official beggar. Because he was a model of
simplicity and charity, he edified many people during the 42 years he performed
that service for his confreres.
As he made his rounds, he worked to
convert hardened sinners and to feed the poor as did his good friend, St.
Philip Neri, who founded the Oratory, a community of priests serving the poor
of Rome. When Felix wasn’t talking on his rounds, he was praying the rosary.
The people named him “Brother Deo Gratias” (thanks be to God) because he was
always using that blessing.
When Felix was an old man, his
superior had to order him to wear sandals to protect his health. Around the same time a certain cardinal
offered to suggest to Felix’s superiors that he be freed of begging so that he
could devote more time to prayer. Felix talked the cardinal out of that idea.
Felix was canonized in 1712.
QUOTE: “Let
us refer all good to the Lord God, most high and supreme, and let us recognize
everything good as belonging to God, and thank God for everything from whom all
blessings come. May the most high and sovereign Lord have and be given all
praise and blessing, all thanks and glory. To him who alone is good belongs
whatever is good. When we see or hear any evil, when we hear a blasphemy
uttered, let us bless, honor, and praise the Lord who is blessed forever.
Amen.” (St. Francis, Rule of 1221, Chp. 7)
COMMENT: Grateful people make good beggars. Francis told his friars that if they gave the world a good example, the world would support them. Felix’s life proves the truth of that advice. In referring all blessings back to their source in God, Feliz encouraged people to works of charity for the friars and for others.
Both of these saints' biographies are from:
McCloskey, Patrick. Franciscan Saint of the Day. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1981.
What is
a Franciscan Friar?
The
Franciscans are referred to as “friars,” from the Latin frater,
meaning “brother.” Franciscans are essentially an order of brothers striving to
live the Gospel with the same simplicity and fervor as their founder, St.
Francis of Assisi. After growing up in a wealthy family and then experiencing a
powerful conversion at the age of 25, Francis donned the clothes of a penitent
and began to live a very poor lifestyle, dedicating himself to prayer and
service of the poor. Before long, inspired by his fervent lifestyle, men began
to join Francis and to imitate his way of life. This gave rise to the birth of
the Franciscan Order in 1223.
What is
a Capuchin Franciscan?
In the
16th century, a group of Franciscans were inspired to live the Franciscan
lifestyle in a more radical manner, returning to the original emphasis on
prayer and poverty. These men broke away from the Franciscans and began a
reform movement which stressed the priority of contemplative prayer and a more
rigorous austerity. Wearing habits with large hoods, they soon garnered the
name cappucio, the Italian word for “hood.” The Capuchins received
approval of their way of life and were recognized as an official, independent
branch of the Franciscans in 1525 in the papal bull Religionis Zellus.
The
Capuchins Today
Today
there are seven regional jurisdictions of Capuchins in the United States.
Usually found in the poorer sections of towns and cities, the Capuchins have a
special charism for working among the common people and taking those
assignments which others refuse. Capuchins can be found working in soup
kitchens and homeless shelters, serving as hospital chaplains or prison
ministers, confessors, and spiritual directors. Capuchins can also be found in
some of the city’s poorest parishes.
The Capuchins build their life and ministry on two essential foundations:
prayer and fraternity. The priority of prayer and the contemplative life is at
the heart of the Capuchin charism. Personal and community prayer nourishes the
brothers’ relationship with God and one another and enables them to give fully
of themselves to everyone they meet. The Capuchin tradition has placed great
emphasis on Eucharistic devotion and veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Along with prayer, fraternity is of great importance to the Capuchin charism. A
Capuchin is first and foremost a brother among brothers. This fraternal life is
founded upon the Gospel in which, after washing the disciples’ feet, the Lord
exhorts his followers to do the same for others. This witness to fraternity is
crucial in an increasingly isolated and alienated world.
retrieved
from https://www.capuchins.org/who-are-we
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